the real life Rocky Balboa – former pro boxer Chuck Wepner / The Bayonne Bleeder

December 4th, 2018 by Mr. C


(poster and other Chuck Wepner memorabilia at the Dillin Tire Car Care on Kennedy Blvd in Bayonne,NJ. Anyone remember this match between Andre the Giant vs Chuck at Shea Stadium? look it up, it’s hilarious!)

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We had an amazing time today retracing the steps of the real life Rocky – Chuck Wepner in his hometown of Bayonne, NJ! Chuck Wepner aka The Bayonne Bleeder was the inspiration that ignited Sylvester Stallone with the creation of the Rocky movie franchise! Wepner was a heavyweight pro boxer from 1964-1978 with a final record of 35 wins – 14 losses – 2 draws. Wepner was a real life tough guy as he grew up on the streets of Bayonne learning to survive and serving in the U.S. Marine Corp put a stamp on it! He honed his boxing skills as a member of the Marine Corp boxing team and became a champion on his military base. In a nutshell, Chuck Wepner’s claim to fame in boxing was his ability to withstand punishment! His bout with Muhammad Ali was a testament to this and Wepner’s nickname of the Bayonne Bleeder was justified once more during the fight with Ali! The Bayonne Brawler’s other famous opponents include George Foreman and Sonny Liston! Wepner’s life whether his tough guy persona in/out of the ring/jail, his involvement with the mafia, his issues with drugs & alcohol, or his bout with Andre the Giant at Shea Stadium and let me not forget his fight with a black bear named Victor in Sayerville, NJ gave plenty of ideas to Sylvester Stallone to create a character we all know as Rocky Balboa!

If you’re not familiar with Chuck Wepner then I highly encourage you to watch ESPN’s 30 for 30 documentary called the “Real Rocky“. You can get a glimpse of our review here if you need a little taste! The bio epic film “Chuck” (2016) starring Liev Schreiber is also a good resource into Wepner’s life. In 2017, Chuck Wepner was inducted into the NJ Hall of Fame which was held at the Asbury Park Convention Center!

But enough of the background and onto our journey today to find some archives on the man himself and to find some fun things to do in the town he grew up in!

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(First stop was at the Hudson County Park in Bayonne and to find the steps where Wepner ran up & down at for training! Our own Chocko Balboa didn’t have a problem making it to the top and inspiring generations to come!)




(We didn’t get a chance to explore the rest of the park but the premises look beautiful. We saw a well kept oval running track and a basketball court next to us that look well maintained. I can imagine in warmer weather this park would be hopping with folks taking advantage of the grounds. There was a nice walkway by the river overlooking the Newark Airport in the background and port newark with the car industries loading/unloading containers in the shipyard! Industrial buckness everywhere, I love it! There’s a nice view of the NJ Turnpike extension with the bridge on 78)









(We dipped out of the cold and into the car to our next destination – Dillin Tire Car Care mechanic shop on Kennedy Boulevard. This Tire shop supposedly had some really neat Chuck Wepner memorabilia and it didn’t disappoint! I was a little hesistant in going in at first as we didn’t want to disrupt the business flow and just waltz in there like they were running a museum but rest assured this notion was squashed as the owner of the shop and close friend of Chuck Wepner – Bruce – was as friendly and funny as can be! The shop itself and interior looked like nothing has changed since the 1970s if not longer! Bruce told us a few stories of Chuck and also about the recent bio-epic movie on Wepner called “Chuck” which premiered last year at the local Frank Theatres by the Pier which Bruce was the host and organizer of. Wish I was able to go as it sounded like a grand event for Chuck Wepner and Bayonne!)

(Memorabilia inside the waiting room…ahem… I meant the Chuck Wepner Waiting room inside the Dillin Tire car care shop!)








(Bruce showed us a video made by an international Film crew (German I think) that documented the story of Chuck Wepner and also the award reception honoring Chuck at the Venitian in Garfield, NJ. Bruce Dillin seemed to have led the charge with the producing and operations of everything for Chuck)

(We asked about the real life size statue of Wepner that was supposed to be at the top of the steps at the Hudson County Park and Bruce led us to the artist that sculpted the piece! The artist – Zhen Wu has a studio nearby! Bruce had been trying to get Mr. Wu to work on the life like sculpture for years and he finally agreed to do it! It looks magnificent! The next step is to cast a mold and then bronze fill it and then patina it! The city of Bayonne has been stalling with the official announcement of the Chuck statue placement so the date is up in the air. They think it’s just a matter of time and of course money as a lot of this will be privately funded.)

(Statue of Chuck Wepner about 80% done. The facial features and sculpting looks amazing by Zhen Wu (master sculpturist – metal fabricator artist)


Bruce mentioned that we should stop to check out a mural of Chuck on the side of a building on 33rd Street & Broadway. It’s been up since 2015.

Next, we’re on our way to Houlihans for lunch and to check out some more memorabilia of Wepner at a booth inside Houlihans. The Houlihans was located in a shopping outlet that the Frank Theaters South Cove 12 Stadium resided at and not far from the 9/11 Teardrop Memorial that we will stop by at after.

(The sole diminuitive glass encased frame of memorabilia of Chuck at one of the booths at Houlihans. I was expecting more artifacts but what they did have packed a punch – pun intended!)


Finally, we headed over to the 9/11 Teardrop memorial that had been so elusive for us. I’ve been wanting to get to this but I guess it never was priority but this time, since we were in Bayonne, this was a must especially being so close to the Houlihans!

It’s definitely a sight to behold!


(Flags half staff for former President Bush)

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Bear Mountain ups – hiking the Hudson Valley – New York State

December 1st, 2018 by Mr. C


(Views atop Perkins Memorial Tower drive – highest point at Bear Mountain)

About 40 miles north of the Planet Chocko little house on the prairie lies Bear Mountain State Park, one of our favorite places to get away from the city & zombie crawl of the robotic suburban lifestyle even if it’s just for a day. Bear Mountain is a state park on the west side of the Hudson River in Rockland County, New York. I’m going to go out on a limb and say Bear Mountain is the closest & best locale nearest to NYC that offers many fun & different activities for the nature lover in you! Things to do at this park include hiking, biking, boating, picnicking, swimming, cross-country skiing, cross-country running, sledding and ice skating. On the grounds you will also find a really cool Trailside Museum and Zoo, the Bear Mountain Inn, a merry-go-round, pool, and a skating rink. The Perkins Memorial Tower is also a neat destination to hike or drive up to for the beautiful views overlooking Bear Mountain at the highest point of the park. You also have access to the beautiful lakes in the surrounding area by driving along 7 Lakes Drive.

For me, I usually avoid this area like the plague during the prime time season which is usually between Memorial day late in May till Labor day in September. I like to enjoy this space in the fall and winter months when basically no-one is around and when it’s most peaceful! Although, you will find us cruising along 7 Lakes Drive for a drive-by because it’s just that beautiful there not to mention the curvy roads at Bear Mountain make for some fun & spirited driving!

The photos in this blog from Perkins Memorial Tower was from about a month ago and the Hessian Lake, Zoo, & Hudson River Dock flicks are from a few days ago. Enjoy and maybe we’ll see you on the trails at Bear Mountain! Ironically, Perkins Memorial Drive will be closed on Dec 1 and will open back in April for the new season so enjoy the views from atop Perkins Memorial above and below!

US-9W, Bear Mountain
NY 10911

(views from Perkins Memorial Tower Drive)





(Ice Skating rink – open on weekends and limited times during the weekday)

(Should we stay within the 5 mile radius or should we head towards Georgia? It’s crazy to think the Appalachian Trail goes from Main to Georgia! 14 States – 2190 miles! Whaat?! Insane!)

(Hessian Lake views)






(Walking in a tunnel that goes underneath highway 9W to get across to the Zoo, Musuem, Pool, & Hudson River Dock area)

(You’ll see the pool on your right)

(The Zoo/Museum will be on the left)

(a few black bears maxin’ and relaxin’)

(Bobcat)

(Red Fox)

(views of the Bear Mountain Bridge and Anthony’s Nose Peak/Trail from an outlook by the zoo)

(Bronze statue of an Elk’s head walking towards the Hudson River dock slightly past the pool)
(this bronze sculpture was presented to the Palisades Interstate Park by Commissioner Victor Berman in 1935.)

(inside another tunnel to get past the railroad tracks and towards the Hudson River Dock)

(views on the hudson river dock of the bear mountain bridge and Anthony’s Nose)

(mini waterfalls trickling down towards the Hudson River Dock area)

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China Love (2018) screens at DOC NYC

November 12th, 2018 by Mr. C

China Love was a whole lot more than what meets the eye. Yes, the main gist of the film was about a pretentious multi billion dollar Wedding photo company in China and the rule of the ironhand by the owner himself, Alex and his Jiahao Group. Apparently, most couples awaiting the hand in marriage in China or at least for those that can afford it, opt in to create these over the top, superficial dream-like pre-wedding photos. To the bride & groom to be and often the parents also, these staged photos are scenes of realizing a dream. They yearn for a beautiful and wealthy life and these photo shoots are a projection of these fantasies. In essence, the bride and groom are the stars, the performers – albeit on this temporary stage. The documentary makes it apparent that the new generation are the driving force behind the culture of these extravagant visions and still photos before the actual hand in marriage but the older generation in China also had the point of view that they themselves had to deal with being suppressed under the cultural revolution and the rigid hand of the Chinese regime when they were getting married so celebrations of taking wedding photos were not tolerated by the Chinese officials. During the Mao Tse Tung rule, you were flagged as having capitalistic views with something as simple as taking wedding photos. So as the older generation raised their children, the parents drove it home that before you take their daughter’s hand in marriage, Princess like pre-wedding photos basically are a must!

Alex, the chairman & founder of the JiaHao Group realizes the high demand of recreating these dream photos and obliges to create a money making machine to meet those demands! As they say the apples don’t fall far from the tree – Alex, a tycoon with a typhoon like personality was an interesting character to behold with his inspirational speeches to his drone of employees to make them realize the money making potential behind his empire to Alex’s iron palm disciplining when his employees don’t quite make the cut. Alex was like that heel wrestler that made the story move along. You either loved or hated him!

On the other side of the coin that made the documentary quite interesting were the social pressures of having to get married in China especially for the woman. If you were female and 28 years old and not married, the parents would basically try to hawk their daughters in these marriage markets to find a husband for them. As you can imagine, this can put a lot of undue stress on the young generation. It’s quite contradictory that the old generation would experience the suppression that they had to deal with and subsequently put pressures on their children in a different form. Then there is stress on the married couple to produce children! If you can’t make the parents – grandparents then there’s a whole new mind game & pressures being offered by the mom & dad!

A fun and lighthearted moment from the film arose when a charity group of volunteers that helped organize pre-wedding like photos and had conducted a fun ceremony that celebrated the lives of 5 couples that have been married for 50 years or more. This felt more real and unrehearsed in a sense which had a lot more meaning & symbolism behind their relationship which stood the test of time. It was quite touching!

China Love had a few more facets to the story than I first realized and it was thoroughly eye opening and entertaining!

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Halloween display in Lyndhurst, NJ

October 30th, 2018 by Mr. C

























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Halloween on Clinton Place

October 27th, 2018 by Mr. C

A very cool block or two in our town of Hackensack,NJ on Clinton Place have been known to dress their homes to the nines in celebration of Halloween! It’s been an annual tradition for at least 25 years or so that I can remember. I actually recall even more homes in that area were participating in the horror show but I think as the years went by, it’s been less and less of the homes partaking in the Halloween decorating probably because families have moved on or out of Clinton Street. Ghouls, goblins, tombstones, mannequins, skulls, & every horror motif you can think of are splattered all over the lawns and homes of Clinton Place! You can even find Finding Nemo, The Wizard of Oz, and the Adams Family on the block! It’s a Zombie dance party, see for yourself!



















































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The Mighty Mighty Bosstones played A Benefit Show for Jimmy G. at Tompkins Square Park

October 19th, 2018 by chocko

Last month NYHC legends Killing Time and Sheer Terror raged the stage for a benefit show for Jimmy Gestapo of Murphy’s Law who had to undergo multiple surgeries in recent months which resulted in him losing his gallbladder. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones made the trek from Massachusetts to headline the show with a blistering 21-song set of ska and punk tunes. Their killer set was capped off with “Johnny Too Bad” a song by The Slickers which was featured on the 1972 Jimmy Cliff movie The Harder They Come. Lead singer, Dickey Barrett and the rest of the Bosstones continued with a cover of Murphy’s Law song “Cavity Creeps” that got the New York Hardcore crowd singing along and moving in the pit. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones continued with dropping their monster hit from 1997, “The Impression That I Get” from their album Let’s Face It. Dickey Barrett brought Jimmy G. out to the delight of the crowd and got on the microphone to join in for “A Little Bit Ugly.” The event was an incredible success and the show raised over $25,000.00 for Jimmy G. Check out some photos and videos below from the Benefit Show.

Jimmy’s first show back with Muryphy’s Law will be on Halloween at Kingsland in Brooklyn with Urban Waste, Drunken Rampage and ACHE! If you live in Rhode Island or you need a reason to escape New York, Muryphy’s Law will be playing Alchemy in Providence on November 3 with Reason To Fight, Brunt Of It and Taxi Driver. Get in da pit and represent!

Drew Stone…one of the many people behind the scenes that made the event happen. Drew is a punk rock singer in the legendary hardcore band Antidote and is also a film director. You can catch Drew Stone and Vinnie Stigma (Agnostic Front) discuss NYHC history and preview “The New York Hardcore Chronicles Chronicles Film 1.5” at Coney Island Baby on Ave. A in The Lower East Side NYC on Thursday, October 25 at 7:30 pm.

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Hawks over the Hudson

October 7th, 2018 by Mr. C

(Before I head up to the northern section of the Palisades Interstate Park by the State Lookout, it’s customary that I venture into the Ross Dock area of the Park in Fort Lee to get a glimpse of the glorious George Washington Bridge on this muggy & foggy morning!)




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On Sunday October 7th, I went to a really neat free event called “Hawks over the Hudson” at the State Line Lookout in Alpine, NJ part of the Palisades Interstate Park. The event featured a demonstration – show & tell featuring live birds of prey from the Delaware Valley Raptor Center. The Raptor Center is a wonderful place that cares for wounded birds of prey and rehabilitates them so that they can be released back into the wild or if they find the birds can’t fend for themselves after recovery they become part of the Raptor center to educate the public to better understand these beautiful animals for conservation.

(State Line Lookout at Palisades Interstate Park)







(These observers were watching this falcon perched on a tree branch out yonder)

(They were focusing here. My camera was not as powerful as these pros!)

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Before this event & if weather permits which it did, visitors got a chance to stop by an ongoing hawk watch to see if they can spot hawks, eagles, & falcons as they migrate south. The State Line Lookout is Hawk watch central as volunteer observers meet at the Lookout throughout the fall to identify passing raptors which is part of a continent wide study held by the Hawk Migration Association of North America. There is even a Hawk Watch board listing the species of Hawks identified in this area! All through September, October, & into early November, the State Line Lookout Hawk watch welcomes visitors who want to learn more! Pretty cool! It was amazing watching the experience bird watchers spot the birds of prey and identify them! How do they do it?!

(The Hawk watch board listing the species that was spotted on the State Line Lookout in Alpine!)

State Line Lookout
Alpine, NJ 07624
Exit 2 off the Palisades Interstate Parkway North

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Now here comes the main event! The Delaware Valley Raptor Center with their Hawks over the Hudson presentation! They introduced us to some of their little and not so little birdies! Say hello to my little friends!

(Meet little guy chester, a Kestrel which is one of the smaller species of the Falcon family! They hover in the air anywhere from 30-60 feet and like to hunt for small mammals, lizards or large insects.)




(Next, Jim introduces us to a Peregrine Falcon)



(a Red tailed Hawk, a monster compared to the Kestrel & Peregrine Falcon!)









( a great horned Owl)


(the crowd pleaser as witnessed by all the “aw, how cute” comments from the audience! a Saw-whet Owl, I think one of the smallest if not the smallest species of the Owl. And yeah, he really is cute!)




(Last but not least was the big girl bald eagle! Jim says the most difficult thing about his big friend is getting her back into the cage. It looks intense! He’s been scratched by her in the face several times but she’s still a good bird!)










(Work it Jim! Great job and great bald eagle!)









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Chiller Theatre Spring 2018

September 24th, 2018 by chocko

Hey sea monsters, goblins and bigfoot hunters! It’s Chiller Theatre time once again..a Halloween weekend battle royale of all things horror, sci-fi (shout out to Forrest J. Ackerman!) and everything else in between. It’s the ultimate toy, model and film expo you don’t want to miss. Jump out of your musty ghost hunting vehicles and head out to Parsippany, New Jersey and party with all the wizards, werewolf bikers and teenagers from Mars. Save some of your allowance because the price of admission has increased due to rising costs! General admission is now $35 at the door and $30 in advance. Save a couple bucks and get your tickets in advance by Oct. 10. Here’s a look back at our visit to Chiller Theatre Spring 2018.

One thing is a given…you are gonna spend some dough at the vendor room! There is something for everybody there from movies, posters, autographs, models, and other collectibles. It’s a flea market for freaks!

One of these days, Chocko, Mr. C and the Planet Chocko Crew will don some wacky suits and participate in the cosplay but for now, I think we’ll just admire from afar. Check out this sadistic looking elf…oh, snap! It’s your favorite actor, John Link! Look out for him in upcoming movies: The Killer Clown Meets The Candy Man and Attack Of The Killer Chickens.

We made it just in time for the Misfits of Magic Live Magic Show! We grabbed a seat just to secure a good spot for the Sonny Chiba Q&A. We also checked out the Grease Reunion Panel which turned out to be a fun, endearing trip down memory lane with some of the cast and crew.

The Grease Reunion Panel (left to right): Lorenzo Lamas, Edie Deezen, Barry Pearl, Didi Conn, Randall Kleiser and Jami Donnely. Grease forever!

The Sonny Chiba Q&A featured two moderators and a translator who made a valiant attempt to keep the panel from going off the tracks with rabid fanboys asking questions about Mr. Chiba’s movie career. We met up with the legendary Street Fighter action star for autographs!

Chiller Theatre always features a ton of guests including Brian Thompson (above) who played the villain “Night Slasher” opposite Sylvester Stallone in the 1986 film Cobra. The Guest List for the upcoming Chiller Expo looks stacked! There’s a lot to look forward to including Romero’s Day Of The Dead Reunion, Carpenter’s Halloween 40th Anniversary, Frankenhooker Reunion, The Love Boat Reunion (Captain Stubing, Vickie, Doctor Bricker and Isaac will all be onboard!), Barbara Eden, pro-wrestlers Bob Backlund and Paul Orndorff, Kim Fields, Caroline Munro, Kelly Hu, plus two former members of The Ramones: Richie Ramone and CJ Ramone. That’s just a small sample of the Zacherle approved Chiller Guests!

It’s always great to see what the artists are up to including the King of Thrash Metal art, Ed Repka! Other artists that usually set up shop at the Expo and worth checking out are Marianne Plumridge, Bob Eggleton (Godzilla fans, check out his work!), Ric Frane and Stephen Blickenstaff.

Looks like the Crypt Keeper is getting ready for that time of fear again…get morgue for your money and get your Chiller Theatre tickets in advance. So, don’t be a mummie’s boy and move a little fester…get your tickets now! Check out the Sonny Chiba Q&A below filmed in jittery Shake-O-Vision. Fangs a lot and see you cretins, creeps and ghouls later!

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38th annual Antique Motorcycle show at Queens County Farm Museum

September 22nd, 2018 by Mr. C



(Steve’s dad getting a little too comfortable on my ’08 Sportster 883)

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Last weekend, I rode out to the Queens County Farm Museum in Floral Park, Queens for the 38th Annual Antique Bike Show! Our friend Steve and his Dad have been inviting us out there for this unique bike show for several years now but the rainy weather had killed the idea the past few times around. Well, not this year! It was sunny, a little muggy but overall a great day for a ride to farmland in Queens NYC?!

The annual Antique Motorcycle show at this venue is truly unique in that it’s located on a farm! Yes, a farm in one of New York City’s 5 Boroughs! Of course the real stars of the show were the antique & historical bikes on display. There were customs, too but the barnyard finds were the super studs! The Vintage bikes are classified as anything 1933 and older. The Antique bikes live in the range of 1933 – 1955 and the Classic bikes are the relics after 1955 or any bike that have been out of production for 10 years.


Another cool piece of eye-candy at the show are the swap meets at the boneyard or (graveyard?!) — a place to buy or swap old parts to put together or upgrade your motorcycle! Steve’s dad was looking for a more comfortable seat and mini ape bars for his late 80’s Harley Sportster.

The International Motorcycle show at the Jacob Javitz Center has some neat custom choppers, vintage bikes, & new model bikes on display but this Antique Show at the Queens Farm Museum is something else altogether! I certainly have developed more of an appreciation for these “running” historical relics that made it out to the farm! Steve & his dad normally sit at a picnic table at the show and watch all the bikes come and go! What a great idea! One second we see some custom choppers and the next second a antique bike comes gurgling’ around the corner. A few minutes later, you’ll see late model Street & Road glides come roaring into the show and park on the grassy area.

If you find that you had enough browsing of the old antique dinosaurs on two, you can always wander around the farm to check out the scene with the crops and livestock. In the fall season, the farm has this cool cornfield like Maze to wander about and hay rides for the kids!

Queens County Farm Museum
73-50 Little Neck Pkwy
Queens, NY 11004

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Garret Mountain Reservation in Woodland Park (West Paterson)

September 9th, 2018 by Mr. C


(Lambert’s Castle)

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My favorite little get away for a quick hike, walk, jog, or even bike ride when I don’t want to venture too far away from the house (about 10 miles from the crib) but still want to keep things scenic & serene is Garret Mountain Reservation in Woodland Park, NJ – the town formerly known as West Paterson. The locals around here joke all the time that Garret Mountain isn’t a mountain but just a big hill – they aren’t too far off from the truth! Garret Mountain is only 500 feet above sea level and is no feat or challenge for real hikers seeking high altitude but still Garret Mountain boasts some pretty cool trails and some really nice views overlooking Passaic County and in the far distant – the NYC skyline. It’s just a beautiful and peaceful place to spend an hour or two or even more if you have time. The Reservation provides us with nicely manicured grass fields, a few miles of walking/running trails, basketball courts, picnic areas, Barbour’s Pond which is stocked with trout for fishing, and an Equestrian Center with Horseback riding lessons. Lambert Castle and Lambert Tower are noteworthy sites to check out as well. I can’t recommend this place enough especially if you are local! In the Fall, Garret Mountain also plays host to hundreds of High Schools and college Cross Country Track meets. Maybe I’ll see you all on the trails!

Garret Mountain
8 Mountain Ave
Woodland Park, NJ 07424

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New Jersey Roadside Attraction: Lucy The Elephant

September 6th, 2018 by chocko

Minutes away from Atlantic City, stands the world’s largest elephant. Lucy The Elephant is a six story high National Historic Landmark and on a recent drive down the shore, Chocko swung by to check up on his long lost friend by the beach. Originally, Lucy was built in 1881 to attract potential real estate buyers to the town of Margate, New Jersey. Lucy’s unique architecture was recognized worldwide and eventually an Elephant Hotel was built nearby. Fast forward to the 1960’s and Lucy was falling apart due to neglect despite surviving the elements all those years standing. The Save Lucy Committee was formed and decades later after hard work and donations, Lucy was restored back to its original glory.

After finding parking on Atlantic Avenue, we visited the gift shop where you can find more Lucy The Elephant souvenirs than you can ever imagine. From there tickets were purchased for a guided tour inside the National Historic Landmark. After climbing a narrow, spiral staircase you find yourself inside the giant pachyderm where relics are displayed and a short video is played about the famous elephant’s history. You can also peer through Lucy’s eyes which are pointed towards the ocean (pictured above). If you’re on the beach, hide your peanuts…Lucy is watching!

That structure built on Lucy’s back that looks like a bed is called a howdah and you can get to it after climbing another narrow spiral staircase. You are rewarded with a beautiful outdoor view of the beach and surrounding neighborhood. Way out west, the Margate water tower can be seen with an image of Lucy The Elephant painted on it.

Lend me your ears…although, summer is coming to an end it’s not too late to pack your trunk and head on over to visit 9200 Atlantic Ave, Margate, NJ. Shop at the gift shop and take a guided tour. Parking is free and for more information visit online at www.LucyTheElephant.org.

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Brooklyn Steeze

September 3rd, 2018 by Mr. C

(a view from Louis Valentino Jr. Park & Pier in Red Hook)

(Gowanus area)

Over the Labor Day weekend, I was intending to utilize the free citibike day pass that was offered by Showtime but a few glitches in the Citibike App system prevented me from cashing in on the free day until they fixed the problem at around noon time, too late because I brought my own bike to romp the streets of Brooklyn! Our plan of attack was to set the roots in Park Slope, fuel up with some bagels and start the adventure pedaling from Park Slope through Gowanus then head to Industry City and finish things off in Red Hook before pedaling back to the 4 wheel cage! Follow along with the photos!

(Stopped off at this excellent Bagel Shop in Park Slope to fuel up on some carbs!)

(Did a lightning round of farmers market shopping for some fresh fruits!)

(Headed to one of my favorite bridges in NYC, The Carroll Street Bridge!)
(The Carroll Street bridge was built in 1889 and is one of only a few retractile bridges left in NY . A retractile bridge slides along a track to allow the bridge to move and ships to pass. Check out the Belgian blocks on either side of the bridge and those wooden planks on the bridge!)



(The Retractile cables and pulleys of the bridge. Check that track jack!)





(Next Stop, dashed off to Industry City! Industry City is a waterfront community of old industrial warehouses, manufacturing, and shipping buildings of yesteryear – refreshed into a somewhat shopping, eating, & art/music mecca. IC is a work in progress but the scene and businesses that currently reside there provide a good base of culture. Now all it needs is a mass marketing plan to get the heads over to Industry City! It does have great potential!)




(Looks like a lot of the Adult video & accessory industry moved to the Industry City area on 3rd Ave!)

(Final leg of the bike ride – heading towards Red Hook! 1st stop Red Hook Ball fields for some latin food trucks. Just ended up getting a real refreshing passion fruit drink.)

(This once impressive concrete structure off columbia street was once the processing center for grains used for breweries and distilleries. Now it’s an impressive ruin. The track & soccer field in front of this structure is now looking more like a corn field and the space is severely neglected. I remember free summer concerts / summer stage NYC used to be in this area of this ballfield by the concrete silo ruins.)

(Metal Sculptures in the Hook)



(At Steve’s Key Lime Pie for what else…Key Lime Pie and an iced coffee!)


(Brooklyn Motor Works – right next to Key Lime Pie)

(You ain’t been to Red Hook officially if you haven’t stopped by the pier to soak in some Lady Liberty!)





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